Solar energy basics

1
Solar energy basics

• Simon Taylor
• Renewable Energy Technical Officer

2
Energy use in the home

• Average semi detached home
• Space water heating 21,506 kilowatt hours
  (kWh)
• Lights appliances 2,992 kWh
• Cooking 1,314 kWh

1 kWh of electricity costs 12p 1 kWh of gas
3p 1 kWh of oil 5p
3
Solar energy in Dorset, B P

• Excellent solar resource
• gt 100 solar water heating systems installed
• 34 Photovoltaic systems installed
• 124 kilowatts

4
Solar water heating

• Heats your tap water not your radiators
• 50 of hot water needs overall
• Roof should face between SE and SW
• 3-4m2 array for households
• Need hot water tank
• 20-30 years useful life
• Typical installation 3000-4000
• 400 grant available
• Avoid salesman get quotes

Opportunity Combine with re-roofing to reduce
costs
5
Types
Flat plate
Evacuated tube
Unglazed
Increasing efficiency/cost
6
How do they work?
Closed system
Open (direct) system
7
Opportunities

• Domestic hot water (not heating)
• New build eco homes
• Businesses with high summer hot water demand
• - BB, hotels
• - Campsites
• - Swimming pools
• Glasshouses

8
What does it cost?
400 grant available Paybacks 9 30 years
9
Photovoltaics (PV)

• Convert light into electricity
• Typical system requires 20m2 of S facing roof
• Up to 50 of a properties electricity needs
• Lifestyle changes required
• Systems from 5000
• Max grant is 2500

Opportunity Good for home workers who can use
appliances in the day time
10
Types
Polycrystalline Si
Thin Film
Monocrystalline Si
Increasing efficiency/cost
11
Opportunities

• Domestic properties
• SSE pay 18p/kWh for exported energy
• Eco homes
• Security of supply
• Some types blend in
• Schools
• Low visible impact
• Remote applications
• Low maintenance

12
How do they work?
13
What does it cost?
Prices courtesy of Equinox Energy

• All prices for polycrystalline PV arrays
• Grant of 2000 per kW (max grant is 2500)
• Pay backs of around 30 years

14
Where can you get more info?

• Dorset Energy Group
• www.dorsetforyou.com/climatechange 01305 228530
• Dorset Energy Advice Centre
• www.deac.co.uk 0800 512012
• Low Carbon Buildings Programme
• www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk
• Energy Saving Trust case studies
• www.est.org.uk/myhome
• Solar Trade Association
• www.greenenergy.org.uk/sta
• Renewable Energy Association
• www.r-e-a.net